Palestine at the Time of Jesus

Transcription

1 A STUDY OF THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW student worksheet 4 Palestine at the Time of Jesus D A B E C F Each of the numbers and letters on the map represent a key place in Palestine at the time of Jesus. These places are listed below. Find the places on the map and write the corresponding number or letter in the spaces beside each placename. The Region of Galilee The Region of Samaria The Region of Judea Caesarea Philippi Bethlehem Jerusalem Nazareth Sea of Galilee River Jordan What events occurred at each location?

2 A STUDY OF THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW student worksheet 18 Peter s Declaration about Jesus An important event took place at Caesarea Philippi which revealed Jesus as the promised Messiah. Jesus openly asked his disciples about his identity. His first question, Who do people say the Son of man is? (16:13) shows us what the general Jewish public thought. Jesus second question was directed at his disciples: Who do you say that I am? (16:15). Fill in the answers given by the disciples: Matthew 16:13 16 Who do people say I am? Who do you say I am? Peter s Declaration:

3 A STUDY OF THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW student worksheet 29 Miracles Matthew was writing at a time when many people believed in the power of miracles. He did not try to explain the miracles by giving a detailed scientific account of them. His aim was not to prove that a particular event was a miracle but to show the amazing way in which God worked through Jesus. Today many people find the miracles in the Gospels a controversial issue. In groups of four, take the roles of the characters below and debate how the miracles of Jesus should be seen. Each character has two points to get you started. David, 26, Social Worker. 1) I try to follow the teachings of Jesus, but I cannot believe in miracles. There is no evidence. 2) The miracles are all symbolic. For example, the feeding of the five thousand shows God s provision. Whether or not they actually happened is unimportant. Sarah, 36, Nurse. 1) Jesus miracles happened exactly as the Bible says. Jesus healed people. It was a sign that he had the power of God. 2) I used to be sceptical about all miracles until I was healed from cancer. God still heals people today. Jillian, 45, Politician. 1) The miracles of Jesus are untrue, just like the rest of the Bible. It s all made up. There s nothing to say Jesus even existed. 2) People were not as well educated at the time the Bible was written. They were far more likely to believe in supernatural events like miracles. Now we know better. Connor, 63, University Professor. 1) I am not a Christian, but I find the debate interesting. If you believe that God created the world, then surely God can bend the rules and make miracles happen? 2) I ve studied the Gospels. Whether or not we believe in miracles, it is clear that the Gospel writers saw things that convinced them that Jesus was something special.

4 A STUDY OF THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW student worksheet 46 Parables Jesus taught using parables stories that were enjoyable to listen to and used everyday situations to make a point. People were challenged to work out the hidden meaning for themselves. Sometimes the stories were allegories, like the Parable of the Sower, where every character and detail represents something. Write your own parable or allegory a story with a hidden meaning.

5 A STUDY OF THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW student worksheet What is a rabbi? QUICK QUIZ The Kingdom of God 2. What is a parable? 3. What is an allegory? 4. Give two reasons why Jesus taught in parables. 5. In the Parable of the Sower what did the seed represent? 6. What happened to the seed that fell on the path? 7. What happened to the seed that fell on the rocky ground? 8. What happened to the seed that fell among the thorns?

6 A STUDY OF THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW student worksheet Where did the seed grow best? QUICK QUIZ The Kingdom of God (continued) 10. What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sower? 11. In the Parable of the Weeds what happened during the night? 12. Who does the Sower represent in the Parable of the Weeds? 13. Why did Jesus tell the Parable of the Weeds? 14. Which parable explains why the last will become first? 15. In the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard what did the landowner promise his workers?

7 A STUDY OF THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW student worksheet 79 EXAMINATION PRACTICE QUESTION The Death and Resurrection of Jesus Candidates will be provided with the text of Matthew 26:36 46 Jesus prays in Gethsemane. Question 1: How did the disciples disappoint Jesus in Gethsemane? Tip from Examiner: Question 1 requires you to list how the disciples did not do what Jesus asked them to do on this occasion. Now answer the question: Question 2: What did Jesus mean when he said The hour has come? Tip from Examiner: Question 2 requires an understanding of how Jesus had been preparing for this moment which he understood had to happen. It is the first event in the last week of his life. Now answer the question:

8 A STUDY OF THE GOSPEL OF MATTHEW student worksheet 80 EXAMINATION PRACTICE QUESTION The Death and Resurrection of Jesus (continued) Question 3: Pick out three phrases from Matthew 26:36 46 which describe Jesus sorrow. Tip from Examiner: Question 3 requires an understanding that Jesus was upset about what lay ahead. You should read the text carefully and pick out three separate sentences. Now answer the question: Question 4: Do you think it helps if people can talk to God like a loving father? Give reasons for your answer. Tip from Examiner: Question 4 is open-ended and you may respond positively or negatively (or combine positive and negative points). It is the quality of argument that attracts marks rather than the viewpoint adopted. You should comment on how Jesus talked to God on this occasion and the strength he drew from that to submit to his arrest. Then use other examples to respond to the statement. Now answer the question: